How to Mold Ice Skates at My House

With new composite materials and cutting-edge technologies, ice skates get lighter and lighter all the time. Higher-end models often include the potential for molding the boot to a skater's foot using a specially calibrated skate oven to heat gel packs inside the skates. Custom molded skates reduce the likelihood of blisters developing at pressure points. Most manufacturers advise against attempting this at home, but you can do it in a conventional oven.

Things You'll Need

  • Oven
  • Standard oven rack
  • Cooking thermometer
  • Timer
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Instructions

  1. Preparation

    • 1

      Verify that the skates you purchased can be heat molded. Look inside the box, on the warranty slip or on the edge of the box. Call the manufacturer's warranty number located on the warranty slip or online if you cannot find this information.

    • 2

      Check for the appropriate molding temperature located on the original manufacturer's skate box. Find the specific temperature recommended for your brand of skates. This temperature varies between skate brands, so ensure that you find a specific temperature before starting the molding process.

    • 3

      Preheat your conventional oven to the appropriate temperature located on the skate box. Do not place your skates in the oven before the temperature of the oven reaches the appropriate degrees.

    • 4

      Place your thermometer inside the oven for about a minute to get an accurate reading of the temperature. Ensure that the oven temperature reads exactly the same as the one indicated on the skate box.

    Heating the Skates

    • 5

      Place your skates standing up between the slats of the oven rack before placing them in the oven. Make sure to loosen up the laces and pull the tongue of the skate forward, and make sure that the skates are standing up securely.

    • 6

      Check the manufacturer's box for the appropriate heating time, and set the timer to this time. If you cannot find this information directly on the box, check the warranty slip or on the manufacturer's website online.

    • 7

      Place your skates into the oven in the proper position as directed in the step above and start the timer.

    • 8

      Heat the skates for the amount of time directed on the manufacturer's box, and check every few minutes to make sure that the skates remain in the proper position.

    Molding Your Skates

    • 9

      Remove the skates from the oven and place them directly on your feet while you are sitting down.

    • 10

      Tie the skates as you would normally and remain seated for 20 minutes. Do not stand up or move around.

    • 11

      Take off the skates after 20 minutes. Put the skates aside for at least 24 hours, with no wear.